Chapter 19

TRAX

I was standing under a Chevy Silverado fighting to get the rusted muffler off when I heard a deep voice yell out my name. I had called Diesel this morning to find out if he was coming to the clubhouse today. He said he was and I asked him to stop by the garage so we could talk.

"Bay two," I called back to him as I wiped my dirty hands on an equally dirty rag.

"Hey, brother. What you working on?" he asked as he made his way over to me.

Diesel was a big mother. I was just under six foot and he was a good three or four inches beyond that. Plus he was one of those guys that worked out every day so that even his muscles had muscles. Before Chrissy, all he had to do was point a finger at a chick and they were in his bed minutes later.

I get along with him pretty well even though we aren't that close. He's a guy I could always count on. Plus, he's as loyal to the club as I am, so he's someone I respect, which is why I know I needed to include him in this fucking mess with the Hellions.

"Fuckin' muffler that's been rusted on way too fuckin' long."

"Better you than me, brother," Diesel laughed. He managed the bar we owned in town called The Hellfire Tavern. In a town where everyone took advantage of the Angel concept from the name Angel Valley, we did the exact opposite and played up the Devil's and Hell's aspect. "So what's up?"

I looked around to see who I could get to finish the pickup. "Hey, Max. You almost done with that oil change?"

"Yeah, boss. Give me ten minutes and I'm done."

"Boss," Diesel snickered.

"Shut the fuck up," I growled at him making him laugh. Then I turned to Max. "Finish up and take over this muffler for me and stop calling me boss!"

There was a universal "Yes, boss" from every damn guy working that had me grumbling under my breath about no damn respect.

I headed to the office with Diesel laughing behind me. "You know they do that because they like you, Trax. They know they can have some fun compared to when Strut was here. That guy was an asshole to everyone, but these guys respect you. You know that, right?" he said as he closed the door so we could talk in private. Club business was never discussed out in the open.

"Whatever," I mumbled. I tried to play it off like it was nothing, but it was something. I hired good guys to work here and that made it easier coming to work every morning knowing they were a good group to work with. No one had respected Strut when he ran the place, myself included. Knowing these guys did respect me was a damn good feeling.

Diesel sat down on the seat up sofa stretching his long legs out in front of him. "What's up?"

"Did Chrissy tell you anything that happened Tuesday?"

"Not a fucking thing. What's going on?"

I rubbed my hands together trying to figure out where to start. "Chrissy and Sophie hung out on Tuesday, right?" He nodded his head agreeing. "Seems they were hanging out back catching up when Lola, Gina, and Gypsy confronted them."

"About fuckin what?" he asked sitting up straighter.

Gypsy had been Diesel's go-to girl at the club. We all hit the Hellions at one point or another, but he had hooked up with her more often than the others and I guess you could say I did the same with Lola.

Stupid us.

"They asked them when they leaving. They didn't like the idea of them being ol' ladies and wanted them gone. They let our girls know that pretty soon we're gonna get bored having just one pussy and they are ready to help us out because there's no way Chrissy and Sophie can satisfy us."

I watched Diesel's face get harder the more I talked. Good, he was as pissed as I was.

"And get this, Lola told Sophie that I should have left her with Gentry so she wouldn't be a problem anymore. A problem? Can you fuckin' believe that she wants Sophie dead? If I hadn't found her she'd be in one of those unmarked graves by now."

"Fucking bitches!" Diesel roared as he jumped to his feet. I could see he was looking to hit something and repairing a wall or a window was not something I wanted to do.

"Brother, unless you want to be fixin' shit around here, don't go puttin' a hole in nuthin'. I know Chrissy's your ol' lady and Sophie is her cousin, but leave my garage intact. Let's take care of this today. This shit can't go on."

"We need to talk to Bear. I want their overused pussies out of that clubhouse now!" Diesel didn't even wait for me as he stormed out the door to the office slamming against the wall. He was already out of the parking lot by the time I got my bike running, except I was faster on the road so I was able to pull up behind him pretty damn quick.

Following Diesel was like trailing behind a raging bull. "Where's Bear?" he snarled at the prospect sweeping up behind the bar. Brick pointed to the office and we headed that way. Diesel's meaty fist banged on Bear's office door a couple of times. Then a couple of times more. He was about to do it again when we heard Bear holler from inside, "Give me a fucking second!"

Diesel let out a string of about every curse possible. "Man, take a breath. I get that you're pissed, so am I. Don't go in there demanding Bear to do shit or that's gonna piss him off. Okay?"

"Yeah, I get it. I get it. But I want those bitches gone," he growled.

"Me too, brother. Me, too."

We had to wait at least another two minutes before the door finally opened and Gina walked out with a smile on her face. "Hold the fuck up," I told her as I grabbed her arm. "You're a part of this so get your ass back inside."

I saw her look at me before glancing over to Diesel. The instant look of panic on her face told me she knew exactly what this was about and there was no way I was going to let her get away. "It wasn't me, Trax,"

"You were fuckin' there, so you better fuckin' believe you are part of it," I told her as I shoved her back into Bear's office. Our president was zipping up his pants from what I would guess was after a blowjob from Gina. That may have been the last one she gives here.

"Why the hell is she back and what the fuck is going on?" Bear demanded.

Diesel shook his head, "I can't do it, Trax. I'm too fucking pissed. You tell him."

So I did. I told him everything that Sophie had told me and Bear was none too happy about it. "Gina, is this true? You, three club whores, think you're better than an ol' lady?"

When she didn't answer him, he roared, "Do you, Gina? Fucking answer me!"

"I didn't know they were going to do that! I swear, Bear. Lola and Gypsy were talking all hush-hush like in the main room as I walked through. They asked me if I wanted to have some fun, so of course, I said yes. I didn't know they were going to confront Chrissy and Sophie. I swear, Bear. I don't want any trouble. I'm just here for a good time, you know that. Right?"

Gina looked more scared than guilty. I had been with her in the past, just like the rest of the brothers and she always seemed like having a good time with anyone was what she was looking for. I didn't understand why she hooked up with those two troublemakers. That wasn't her usual style.

"Listen, Gina, Sophie said that you were there, but you didn't say anything. Help us out here, okay?" I asked her. She nodded her head yes. "What did Lola and Gypsy say to Chrissy and Sophie?"

"Exactly what you told Bear. Lola's crazy jealous of Sophie. She always thought she had a claim on you and she's been running her mouth how she wants her gone. Ask any of the girls. And Gypsy always thought Diesel loved her best out of the girls and she hates that you have an old lady. It doesn't matter if that's Chrissy or anyone else, she wants to put out for you like she used to." Then she turned to Bear, "They dragged me into this without me knowing what they were going to do, Bear. I never would have gone if I knew. I don't like drama, you know that right, guys?" she said looking around at us with tears in her eyes.

Gina was always about a good time and I believed her. I looked at Diesel and he gave me a chin lift that he agreed too. We both turned to Bear and I saw we were on the same page. Lola and Gypsy tried to fuck Gina over by getting her mixed up in their shit.

"You're good, Gina," Bear told her in a softer voice than I expected. "I appreciate you being honest with us. Now get out of here, but don't say a single damn word to those two whores. If you do, you're out of here like they are. Got it?"

"Got it. I so got it! Can I go?" she pleaded.

Bear flicked his hand toward the door and Gina shot out of the office. "They're gone. It'll piss off the brothers, but those two have turned into nothing but a pain in my ass. They think they run this club, well they fucking don't. Not even close. Let's get this over with."

And as luck would have it, Lola and Gypsy were at the bar each about to lift a newly opened bottle of beer to their lips. "Lola…Gypsy, hold up there." The girls turned and saw Bear walking toward them with both me and Diesel behind him. Colt, our VP, had just come out of the kitchen and it took him only a second to realize something was going down. Instead of asking what it was, he joined us backing up Bear…not that Bear needed our help in the slightest.

"What's up, Prez?" Lola smiled running a bright red nail down our President's chest.

"You two have ten minutes to pack your shit and get out of my clubhouse. I want a prospect watching each one of you so that you don't take any shit that ain't yours. And Lola get your fucking hand off me," he growled at them.

"What the hell, Bear? Why are you making us leave?" demanded Lola.

"What did we do?" echoed Gypsy with her hands on her hips.

Even though I was behind Bear I could see his neck turn red. Colt even took a step forward as Bear's anger radiated throughout the entire room. You could hear a pin drop it was so quiet. "Whores don't question the President of this club. Especially whores who think they are better than our ol' ladies and whores who want then dead! Get out of my face! Get out of my fucking club! You got ten minutes before we throw you out on your overused asses. Brick! Cage! Make sure they don't take anything that ain't theirs and time them."

Bear stormed off leaving Lola and Gypsy looking stunned. Diesel and I stared at them with our arms across our chests. I could see that they knew exactly why they were leaving.

Gypsy punched Lola in the arm, "You said we weren't going to get in trouble!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Lola spat at Gypsy. I saw her look around the room and found Sophie standing at the base of the stairs with Chrissy. Then she turned toward me, "You really think that is going to keep you satisfied, Trax? Really? She's not even an ol' lady!"

I chose to ignore the first part of her rant. "Sophie, get over here." She ran over to my side and I put my arm around her. "Listen up! I was going to do this at church tomorrow but there ain't any need to wait. I'm claiming Sophie as my old lady. Right here and now. She's off-limits to everyone!" I leaned down and finished claiming her with a kiss that had the entire place cheering.

Everyone was happy for me except the bitch standing in front of me. A bitch I didn't give one damn about. She needed to go. "Prospects! Get these whores outta here. The clock started when Bear left so you got maybe five minutes left to get your shit outta here."

Brick and Cage each grabbed an arm and shoved the angry women toward the stairs.

"They're gone?" Sophie asked me. "Like forever gone?"

"If they step back in here again, they'll be permanently gone," I told her.

Chrissy was standing in front of Diesel with his hands on her shoulders. "What just happened?"

"Trax and I took out the trash, that's what happened," Diesel replied. "And the next time either of you has anyone disrespect you as those two did, you need to tell us. That shit doesn't fly here. Got it?"

"Didn't want to worry you, Baby, but I got it," Chrissy smiled up at him.

A minute later we could all hear Lola and Gypsy yelling at the prospects as they stumbled down the stairs. "You got ten seconds to get out of here, Lola. One second longer and Trax will fuck up your ass, so move it, bitch," Cage spat.

Lola gave me a dirty look as pulled a suitcase behind her on the way out the door. She had another hastily packed bag on her shoulder that had clothes hanging half out of it. I felt Sophie relax when the door closed behind her and Gypsy for the last time.

"Thank you, Daryl. I'm glad their gone," she said leaning into my shoulder.

"How about you show me how thankful you are?"

Sophie's eyes immediately lit up. "I can do certainly do that especially since now I'm an ol' lady."

Once the thought of me being saddled with an ol' lady was terrifying, but now I loved it. Having Sophie by my side and coming home to her made me actually have something to look forward to. I was excited about my life and I can tell that that has never happened before.

"Alright then, get your ass upstairs." I slapped that perfectly rounded ass of hers that was encased in a tight pair of jeans. Sophie giggled at me as we headed toward the stairs to our room. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Diesel throw Chrissy over his shoulder and head toward the game room.

Seems like we weren't the only ones set to do some celebrating. And this was my favorite kind – being naked with a hot woman.

My woman.

My Sophie.

Church was about to begin except we were all stuffing our faces with the best damn cheesecake I ever had. Maddie had made them in a cupcake size and the guys were grabbing two at a time, while Bear hoarded a whole box to himself.

Sophie had gone back to work today. Maddie had told her to take the whole week off, but Sophie said she was bored and ready to go back. I didn't mind that I was still doing a job fit for a prospect. I got to see my woman in the middle of a workday and while we couldn't really do anything, I made sure I kissed her speechless before I left.

I walked out the front of that damn bakery with a big smile on my face and hard-on in my pants. Man, that girl could turn me on faster than I ever thought possible. Sure, I'm a guy and that shit happens a lot, but I ain't getting any younger and it's like my dick has two settings when I'm with her – soft and rock hard. There's no middle ground when Sophie's around.

So here I sit waiting for church to begin with a major boner because I'm thinking of her…again. I saw Sophie not thirty minutes ago and my dick has barely had any time to relax. I'm hoping in a room full of asshole brothers no one notices.

The gavel comes down with a loud band silencing the room.

"Alright, we got shit to take care of," Bear said starting the meeting. "First, congratulations to Trax for taking Sophie as his ol' lady. She's under our protection now and is family. The shit that happened recently with her and Chrissy doesn't fly here. Colt, does Marci have any new girls that she can bring in?"

"What the fuck happened, Prez? Where's Gypsy?" came from a voice in the crowded room.

"And Lola?" Mace asked.

We all heard Bear growl under his breath. "I'm going to say this just once. Club whores are on the bottom of the rung in anything here. Those two thought they were above ol' ladies and wanted Chrissy and Sophie gone. Not only did they say that to their faces, but Lola went as far as to say that she wished that Trax has never tracked Sophie down when Gentry took her. She wanted Sophie dead. That's why the second I found out, they were gone. We'll get new pussy in and you'll never miss them. They are not allowed back under any fucking circumstance."

"Shit, she really said that?" Striker asked shaking his head.

"Said it. Meant it," I replied. "Gina confirmed it too."

"Good fucking riddance," Striker agreed nodding his head. In fact, many of the guys were doing the same in agreement.

Bear then had Buck go over the minutes from last week and we went over a few of the items he needed answers about. "Okay, got a new run a week from today. It's an important one bringing in some fucking big bucks. We're escorting a tractor-trailer to Nashville overnight. I don't know what they're hauling except I told them it better fucking not be women as we'd shut that shit right down. I'm guessing its drugs or guns or fucking both since they are asking for a larger escort than normal, but they will show Mace what they got when we get there."

Mace then took over the meeting. "I'm gonna use my regular eight guys, Cue, Diesel, Blade, Ghost, Jet, Raven, Sugar and myself. Brick will be in the crash van, but I still need another guy. Trax it worked out well with you last time, can I count on you again?"

"Absolutely." Once again I had to say that, but I'd rather be back here with Sophie. I was turning into such a fucking pussy. I had done many of these runs in the past, just not too recently since I took over managing the garage.

"Anybody got anything else?" Bear asked scanning the room.

"Yeah, I do." I'd recognize that voice anywhere. It was my brother. "We got any more of those cheesecake things? Fuck, those were good."

The rest of the guys laughed. Yeah, they were good. There was nothing left but two big empty boxes on the table. "You fucking pigs ate them all," Buck growled. "Lucky I even got one."

Then everyone looked at Bear and box sitting in front of him. "Oh, fuck no," he roared. "These are mine and you fuckers don't touch this box unless you want to lose your patch!"

That's when we learned not to get between Bear and his sweets. Especially ones that Maddie made just for him.

The gavel slammed down and church was done for this week.

We all walked out to grab a beer and I'm halfway there when I hear my name being called. "What's up, Sugar?" I still needed to talk to him about what happened two nights ago, so I might as well get it out of the way now.

"Can we grab a beer and talk?"

"Yeah, no problem."

We made our way to the bar and each grabbed a long neck that Dutch slid down to us. I headed over to an open table in the corner and he joined me. I took a long swallow of beer as I waited for him to say what was on his mind.

"You did it, little brother. You got yourself an ol' lady."

"That I did and she's a good one, Merle." I watched his face harden as I used his given name. "I'm talking to my blood brother right now, not my club brother. You got that?" He nodded his head as he took another slug of beer. "What happened the other night needs never to happen again. No one knows about that but you, me, and Sophie. You know shit like that doesn't fly here in the first place, but she was my woman. What's going on with you? You're drinking too much. You lost your delivery job and you're getting into fights all the time. Which don't get me wrong, I'm always down for a good one, but from what I heard you're picking these fights. What the fuck, man?"

"I don't know what the fuck is going on. I'm feeling old around here. Don't you?"

I smiled at him. "Bro, you got ten years on me, so no. Sure the Prospects look like kids, but I'm good."

"I'm slowing down and I don't like it. And what do I have to show for myself after all these years in the club? I got a room with not much shit in it and my bike. I ain't got much else," he sighed.

The man talking to me wasn't my bigger than life brother. This was a defeated man. Merle normally never talked about any of this shit to me but he was today. I was taking that as a good sign.

Being a Road Devil was never about making a lot of money, at least not for me, it was about the family I got from these guys. A family that while they weren't blood to me, they treated with me the respect I never had growing up. My real family sucked.

Sugar and I were never that close because of the age difference. I was always the annoying little brother no matter how old I was. But, being in this club didn't make me poor either. I have a safe in my closet secured to the floor that holds a nice chunk of change from the club over the years. Where did all of my brother's money go?

"Bro, what did you spend everything on? You shouldn't be broke."

Merle shrugged his shoulders. "Guess I partied too much over the years. If I wasn't here I liked going to the strip clubs. Private dances cost a lot. I use a little coke on the weekends. I'm not sure where it went."

"You gotta get your shit together, man. Find another job, cause you know you gotta have one for the club. Stop hitting up the strip clubs and buying drugs. I don't want you turning into our ol' man."

He jumped up out of his chair almost knocking it over, "I ain't our ol' man, Daryl. Fuck you for saying that!"

"I didn't say you were, just that you were headed that way. And before you bite my head off, listen to me for a fuckin' change. You're drunk most nights like he was. You're picking fights. And what the fuck was that with Sophie? You were going to hurt Sophie even though she said no to you. I know you didn't know who she was, but that doesn't matter. A woman says no…they say no. You were gonna forcing her to blow you. I heard that, man. Shit like that…makes you our ol' man. Don't you see?"

I could see the wheels turning in Merle's thick skull. I finished my beer in a couple of long chugs. Then he slammed his fist on the table. "Shit. You're right. I'm turning into that dick and I swore I would never. Fuck me. I'll get my shit together. I gotta. There's no fuckin' way I wanna become that prick."I could see the weight of what just hit him in his eyes. He got it. My brother actually got it for a change. "Thanks, man. I mean it. Thanks."

"Good," I said before standing up. It was time for another beer.

"Hey, where's Sophie?"

"Working. Why?" Now I was curious. Why did he want to know where she was?

"I owe her an apology, man."

I had to sit down in my chair. Was he serious? Merle never apologized to anyone. I'm serious, he never fucking apologizes.

"You are turning over a fuckin' new leaf. I've never heard you apologize to no one before." I was shocked.

Merle laughed. "Yeah, and don't expect it again but I was wrong to treat your ol' lady that way and she deserves to hear that from me. She's family and can't have thinkin' of me as shit. When does she get out?"

I looked at the big clock on the wall. "Actually, she should be back any minute."

"You gonna keep living here with her?"

"Don't know. I gotta see what she wants to do. This was good for me, but not sure this is gonna work for us both. Shit, I'm new at this stuff," I laughed.

Just then the front door opened and I could see Sophie walking in. I could tell she was nervous coming into the main room as her eyes were darting around. Fuck. I don't want her to feel uncomfortable here. As much as I hated to leave here, as the clubhouse has been my home for almost twenty years, I may need to. I always felt I belonged here especially after I got my patch. There was always someone to hang out with be it to have a beer or play a game of pool. The club hired an assortment of women over the years to cook for us. Ellie had been in the kitchen since her ol' man, Digger got taken out by a Satan's Demon at a rally a bunch of years back. Breakfast and dinner were all we needed and the Hellions did the cleanup.

The club offered me a room to live in, brothers to hang with, food to eat, and all the pussy I could want. It was perfect for me until I brought Sophie here. Now I was looking at it in a completely different light. She was new to the MC world and she was having the good, the bad, and the ugly shoved right at her without time to get used to them.

To get used to the club.

To get used to me.

This wasn't a place for two people to try and start a life together. Yep, that's me, Daryl "Trax" Dixon, who somehow managed to get a hot girl to fall for him. That's fucking crazy, but we need a place to give us a chance.

Yeah, I definitely needed to talk to her about this.

"Hey, Bro…she just walked in."

I watched Merle pop to his feet right away and head over toward Sophie. I didn't get up. They needed to settle this between them. Instead, I lit up a cigarette and watched my brother and my ol' lady talk it out. That also reminded me I needed to get her a cut. I couldn't help the smile when I thought of her wearing a Road Devils cut with a rocker that said "Property of Trax." I'd definitely have to order one next week.

Sophie said something to him that had him laughing and then I saw her give Merle a hug. That fucker hugged her back and that lasted a bit too long for my taste. I got up and met Sophie halfway giving her a kiss that had the guys here cheering.

"I want you now," I growled into her ear.

Sophie gave me a sexy smile as I felt her cup my already hard dick. "Then what are we waiting for."

What was I waiting for? I grabbed her hand and we practically ran up the stairs to our room. Yeah, we needed a place of our own. This way I could fuck her anywhere and whenever I wanted without an audience. There was a time that I didn't care who watched me with fuck a Hellion or get a blow job from one. That's not what I wanted for Sophie.

There was no fucking way I was sharing her with anyone. Not now. Not ever.